Yara has started production of first renewable ammonia in Brazil

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Fertilizer producer Yara announced it has started production of the first renewable ammonia in Brazil at its Cubatao Production Complex.

The company said it has achieved a 75% reduction in carbon footprint, compared to the same fossil energy product, because it uses biomethane, a purified biogas that without additional effort replaces the use of natural gas.

Biomethane is produced from vinasse, a sugarcane residue in the manufacture of ethanol, and filter cake, a residue from sugar production and is made available in the gas distribution network.

As the main producer of ammonia in the country, Yara said its industrial complex is currently the largest consumer of natural gas in the state of Sao Paulo.

“This is the result of Yara’s knowledge, innovation and technology applied with a focus on decarbonization, and represents a great milestone for the national industry and, especially, for the Cubatao hub, which in addition to being a global symbol of environmental recovery, now has the potential to lead the energy transition that Brazil needs,” says Daniel Hubner, Yara International vice president of industrial solutions.

Yara said this is a significant step forward in building value chains based on renewable energy with nitrogen used in numerous industries but for agribusiness, the impact is enormous.

“By combining this new generation of fertilizers with a lower carbon footprint with our agronomic knowledge we will bring even more value to the farmer, opening new markets and sources of revenue,” said Marcelo Altieri, Yara Brasil president.

“In the coffee chain, for example, the expectation is for a reduction of up to 40% in the carbon footprint of the harvested bean.”

The producer has stated its goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.